You can help our reef recover
The Great Barrier Reef is one of our most precious assets. As you may have heard over recent years there have been episodes of coral bleaching, and a few cyclones, which have caused further damage to this natural wonder.
You might think there’s not much you can do to help, but there’s one very simple thing you can do (actually not do!) while in the Whitsundays that WILL make a difference:
Changing your fishing habits!
That’s right, everyone can make a difference by NOT taking certain species of fish.
Leave them to do their thing and clean up the seaweed that may be preventing new coral from settling.
If left to grow, seaweed can quickly overpower the reef which stops coral larvae from settling, and forming the next generation of coral colonies.
Plant-eating fish act as nature’s lawnmowers, keeping seaweed levels under control by grazing. Following coral bleaching, these fish are so important to reef recovery as they clean up the seabed providing space for new corals to grow.
If you are fishing or spear-fishing, please leave these species on the Great Barrier Reef to do their thing!
- Bumphead parrotfish
- Blue-spined unicornfish
- Steephead parrotfish
- Rabbitfish
- Parrotfish
- Surgeonfish
For more information, visit www.gbrmpa.gov.au or download the brochure.
Want to go bareboating in the Whitsundays?
Book a charter yacht in the Whitsundays to explore the islands. See our fleet, online availability calendar and where you can go.